HC Deb 15 May 1989 vol 153 cc104-5W
22. Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's latest estimate of the fuel cycle costs of(a) nuclear and (b) coal-fired electricity generation in the present financial year.

Mr. Michael Spicer

I have been advised by the Central Electricity Generating Board that, for 1987–88, their estimate of fuel cycle costs for nuclear generation was 1.77 p/Kwh and coal-fired generation 1.97 p/Kwh.

55. Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on what date Her Majesty's Government first made public that the cost of electricity from the Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear stations exceeded that of coal-fired generation.

Mr. Michael Spicer

This was first made public in the answer that I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, North (Sir T. Skeet) on 15 December 1988 at column680.

42. Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he expects to bring forward to change the mix of fuels used in electricity generation(a) before that industry is sold, (b) while it is in the course of being sold and (c) after it has been sold.

Mr. Michael Spicer

Changes to the mix of fossil fuels used in electricity generation will remain a matter for the industry, as will the choice of non-fossil fuels used to meet the major part of the non-fossil fuel obligation provided for the Electricity Bill now before Parliament. I announced on 5 April the Government's intention that up to 600 MW of the non-fossil fuel obligation should be set aside specifically for renewables.